Over the last three decades, B.E.F.'s work has achieved a cult status and universal acclaim. Their 1981 debut album Music For Stowaways was recently hailed by Uncut magazine as one of the "50 Greatest Lost Albums of All Time" .

After the split of The Human League, Martyn Ware and Ian Craig Marsh's first release as B.E.F. in 1980 was a collection of instrumentals entitled Music For Stowaways. The album was initially only made available on cassette and was inspired by the appearance of the first Sony Walkman (first marketed in the UK as the Sony Stowaway). There was also a vinyl release, Music For Listening To, mainly targeted for export sales, which was slightly truncated (with an additional track not found on the cassette). In the late 1990s, a CD release with this title combined the complete contents from both versions.

In 1982, with Heaven 17 already established with Glenn Gregory as the lead vocalist, Virgin Records released the B.E.F. album entitled Music of Quality and Distinction: Volume One on that involved other artists covering classic songs. The production was mainly in the Heaven 17/B.E.F. style (synthesisers and Linn Drums). Tina Turner's version of The Temptations' Ball of Confusion drew the attention of Capitol Records. Her next single, Let's Stay Together, co-produced by Ware, peaked at No.6 in the UK Singles Charts and made the US Top 20.

B.E.F.'s album also featured covers by Billy Mackenzie's The Secret Life of Arabia and It's Over, Paul Jones' There's a Ghost in My House, Paula Yates' These Boots Are Made For Walking, Gary Glitter's Suspicious Minds, Bernie Nolan's You Keep Me Hangin' On, Sandie Shaw's Anyone Who Had a Heart, and Glenn Gregory's homage to Glen Campbell's Wichita Lineman and Lou Reed's Perfect Day.

It wasn't until 1991 when Music of Quality and Distinction: Volume Two was released. The follow up album featured Tina Turner's A Change is Gonna Come and Billy Mackenzie's Free. A new version of Sly and the Family Stone's Family Affair gave singer Lalah Hathaway and B.E.F. a Top 40 hit. Scritti Politti's Green Gartside was another guest on the album, performing I Don't Know Why I Love You. Scritti's collaboration with Shabba Ranks on the pop-reggae version of She's a Woman was recorded at the same sessions.

B.E.F. is currently working on Music of Quality and Distinction: Volume Three entitled Dark. "The album will consist of very dark versions of tunes that have to be of a certain type," explains Ware. "It's dark reinterpretations, primarily looking at things differently, from a lyrical point of view. It's almost like a soundscape in much the same way as You've Lost That Loving Feeling on the Human League's first album Reproduction."

B.E.F. presents "Music of Quality and Distinction Live"

Following the success of Heaven 17's Penthouse and Pavement 30th Anniversary Tour, the British Electric Foundation is proud to present 'Music of Quality and Distinction Live'; a two day festival at London's prestigious Roundhouse venue celebrating 30 years of seminal electronic music and unique collaborations.

The two day festival will feature a major concert each night. Friday 14th October will include the world premiere of Heaven 17's 1983 album The Luxury Gap performed for the first time. The album originally went to #4 in the UK Album chart and scored the band four hit singles - Let Me Go, Temptation, Come Live With Me, and Crushed by the Wheels of Industry.

The concert will be performed live in 3D sound - the latest state-of-the-art immersive audio experience, using 3D soundscape composition techniques pioneered by Martyn Ware and Vince Clarkes' Illustrious Company.

The following night of the two day festival will be entirely devoted to B.E.F.'s groundbreaking 30-year career of electronic pop, featuring many of the artists originally involved in the B.E.F. Music of Quality and Distinction albums. The concert will also showcase the world premiere of songs from B.E.F.'s upcoming Music of Quality and Distinction: Volume 3 album, Dark.

Although the two day festival will celebrate B.E.F.'s past achievements, there will also be plenty of activities that will look towards the future. During both days there will be many events and installations taking place at the Roundhouse. Organisations participating include i-Design, 5D: The Future of Immersive Design, and Sensoria. There will also be a music film programme, panel discussions, large-scale installations and behind-the-scenes workshops. The two day event promises to be one giant, interactive 'happening'.

Artists already confirmed for the Music of Quality and Distinction Live concert include Elly Jackson (LaRoux), Green Gartside, Shingai Shoniwa (Noisettes), Boy George, Midge Ure, Andy Bell, Glenn Gregory, Martin Fry, Sandie Shaw and Kim Wilde with many more to come.

B.E.F. presents: Music of Quality & Distinction "Live"

Saturday 15th October 2011

The Roundhouse
Chalk Farm Road, London, NW1 8EH

Box Office: 0844 482 8008

Day Tickets: £23.50
Weekend Tickets: £42.50

Tickets on-sale on Friday 15th April from 10am
24 Hour Ticket Hotline: 0870 999 999
www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Luxury Gap Show Tickets
BEF show tickets
Weekend tickets